American Tabloid Media and the Satanic Panic, 1970-2000

This book examines the “satanic panic” of the 1980s as an essential part of the growing relationship between tabloid media and American conservative politics in the 1980s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s, a significant phenomenon in the United States, is explored in this book as a crucial component of the evolving relationship between tabloid media and American conservative politics during that era. The author contends that the widespread belief in Satanism within various cultural institutions played a pivotal role in the development and success of two significant phenomena: infotainment, or tabloid content on television, and the rise of the New Right, a conservative political movement heavily influenced by a growing coalition of influential televangelists or evangelical preachers on television.

The book specifically delves into the hundreds of accusations that devil-worshippers were operating America's white middle-class suburban daycare centers. Numerous communities across the country found themselves entangled in legal battles against center owners, with the most well-known case being the McMartin Preschool trial in Manhattan Beach, California. This trial remains the longest and most expensive criminal trial in the history of the United States.

The "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s was characterized by a widespread fear of Satanism and the notion that there was a secretive cult of devil-worshippers operating within society. This panic was fueled by the media, particularly tabloid publications, which capitalized on the public's fascination with the supernatural and the occult. The panic led to the investigation of numerous daycare centers, schools, and other institutions, with many parents and community members accusing these facilities of being hubs of satanic activity.

The McMartin Preschool trial, in particular, became a media sensation and a symbol of the hysteria surrounding the Satanic Panic. The trial lasted for over seven years and involved the prosecution of eight individuals, including the preschool's director, who were accused of engaging in child abuse and satanic rituals. Despite the lack of evidence to support these allegations, the trial was highly publicized and received widespread media coverage.

The book argues that the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s was not just a phenomenon of the time but was also a reflection of the broader political and cultural climate of the 1980s. The rise of televangelism and the conservative movement's embrace of religious values played a significant role in the panic. The media, in turn, used the panic to generate sensationalistic headlines and sell more newspapers and magazines.

The "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s also had significant consequences for the individuals and institutions involved. Many daycare center owners were subjected to intense scrutiny and harassment, and some were even forced to close their facilities. The trial's outcome was also controversial, with some arguing that the accused were innocent and that the prosecution had engaged in a witch hunt.

In conclusion, the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s was a significant phenomenon in the United States that played a crucial role in the relationship between tabloid media and American conservative politics. The widespread fear of Satanism and the notion of a secretive cult of devil-worshippers led to the investigation of numerous daycare centers, schools, and other institutions, with the McMartin Preschool trial being the most well-known case. The panic was characterized by a lack of evidence and a reliance on sensationalism, and it had significant consequences for the individuals and institutions involved. The book argues that the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s was not just a historical anomaly but a reflection of the broader political and cultural climate of the 1980s.

Weight: 525g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030836351
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021